{"id":5605,"date":"2019-05-29T13:32:02","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T18:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=5605"},"modified":"2019-06-10T18:51:13","modified_gmt":"2019-06-10T23:51:13","slug":"discover-alentejo-alicante-bouschet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2019\/05\/discover-alentejo-alicante-bouschet\/","title":{"rendered":"Time To Discover Alentejo\u2019s Alicante Bouschet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alicante Bouschet. Hear it, learn it, remember it, pronounce it (Ah-lee-KAN-tay Boo-SHAY) \u2013 and drink it. This signature red wine of Portugal\u2019s Alentejo (that\u2019s \u201cAh-len-TAY-zhoo\u201d to you) region is quite special. It is one of a handful of vinifera grapes with red flesh<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and often produces wines that are dark, bold, and tannic. I once heard a somm declare that Alicante Bouschet makes Nebbiolo look like Gamay! But no worries as Alentejo winemakers are masters at taming those big tannins. Once tamed, many of these wines are ripe, fruity, and easy-drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Alicante Bouschet Grapes (c) Wines of Alentejo<\/i><\/b><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A French cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache that happened back in 1886, Alicante Bouschet may have technically originated in France, but it\u2019s safe to say that \u201cAli\u201d is Portuguese inside and out. In fact, many folks (me included) assumed it was a native Portuguese variety. With structural similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon but with softer edges due to the very warm climate in Alentejo and amazing acid-retention qualities, it is very much the flagship of the region. This, despite the mind-boggling 250-plus indigenous Portuguese varieties, including Trincadeira and Aragonez, not to mention a host of international varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to sunny days tempered by cool, breezy nights, Alentejo is blessed with wide open spaces, gentle plains, and blue skies that go on forever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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